Football great Roberto Baggio turns 49: Let’s celebrate one of game’s best ever players

Divine Ponytail enjoyed some of the biggest highs and serious lows during his career

By ANDREW RICHARDSON

18th February 2016,10:56 am

Updated: 6th April 2016,2:26 pm

THE great Roberto Baggio turns 49 today.

So what better excuse to celebrate the career of one of football’s greatest
ever players?

One of the most iconic images in the game’s history is of a distraught Baggio
standing on hips, having just blazed his World Cup final shootout penalty
over the bar, while Brazil goalkeeper, Taffarel, screams in ecstasy just
yards away.

Three years later, in 1985, the third tier side agreed a £1.5million deal to
sell their star to Fiorentina. But, just days before the transfer had been
finalised, Baggio shattered his knee ligaments and doctors feared he would
never play again.